The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1887-08-06

The Bourbon Democrats Of Georgia may
well pause before they pass the Infamous
bill now before the Legislature torbidding
the attendance of black and white scholars
at the same school. 1t may readily be be-
lieved that the leaders of the National Dem
ocratic party have sent urgent requests to
Georgia that the bill may be put aside. for
its passage would be wrong to the colored
race that the thinking men of the North, of
whatever party, could not let pass unnoticed.
Though drawn in a general form, the bill I'M
doubleday aims at Atlanta University,
where the children of the white teachers
have been allowed to study and graduate
side by side with theregular negro students
SO long as neither the negroes nor the teach
ers objected, it would seem as though the
Georgia Legislature ought to make no objec-
ton. Atlanta University has been for years
beacon of hope" as it has been described,
to the colored race of the South. 1t is sup
ported by the American Missionary Associa-
ton, great society that has already expend-
ed nearly nine million dollars in the South
for the education and elevation Of the negro.
10 Atlanta University alone has gone three
hundred and fifty thousand dollars of this
sum. For few years past the University
has also received $1,000 year--a little less
than half the income of $4,000 given by the
United States TO Georgia for educational pur-
poses but except for this the entire cost of
maintaining it has come from the North The
course of instruction afforded is thorough in
every grade of studies from those of q gram
mar school to those pursued in the best nor
NAL schools and colleges, but it also gives in
dustrial training of the most practical and
thorough sort to both sexes, and especially
In everything pertaining to farming and do
nestle economy. This is done because ig-
norance of these is chief hindrance to the
progress of the negro. The effect of the
school has been most wholesome ON the lives
and characters Of the colored people brought
within the circle of its influence The pres
ence of the children -
pupils in 1,~-,
feet in stimulating :.
emulate the success and acquirem,.
their fairer companions. Those who have
only the most superficial knowledge of the
negro character will readily understand the
benefits which he may derive from assoca-
ton with people of higher culture. But the
spirit of the Old South has for some inexpli-
cable reason become offended with the liber-
al spirit of Atlanta University. The Georgia
politicians have not only threatened to take
away from it the $1,000 year of the United
States money, but are carrying through the
Legislature the Glenn bill, which would pun
ish with year of the infamous chain gang
of Georgia and with fine of 81, Oco the crime
of some of the white teachers In allowing
their own children to enter the classes they
instruct. The legislative committee have re-
ported this barbarous bill favorably, and
even Governor Gordon is said to have
pledged himself to the policy which it out
lines. The spirit of the Legislature is I'm
doubtedly in favor Of its passage, and only
difference to Northern opinion can probably
defeat the bill. The politicians of Georgia. for
their own good, had better heed the course
oil Northern opinion. Should the bill
become law, and single teacher of ATTAIN
ia University be sent to the loathsome chain
gang for daring to instruct his own child bv
the side of negro child, there would be an
outburst Of indignation from the North that
might delay for decade that restoration of
confidence between North and South which
is so essential condition of the future pros
perity of Georgia and every other Southern
State. To the South that prosecuted and de-
graded the negro the North sent soldiers and
munitions of war; it is only to the South
that shall propose to care for and educate
the seven millions people Of African blood
that the North will send artisans and capt.
tai